February 2020

Ash Wednesday Mass

DATE: 2/26/20

Today marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation for the celebration of Easter. The word Lent itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, meaning "Spring," and lencten, which literally means not only "Springtide" but also was the word for "March," the month in which the majority of Lent falls. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays. The present fasting and abstinence laws are very simple: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, we fast (having only one full meal a day and smaller snacks to keep up one's strength) and abstain from meat; on the other Fridays of Lent, we abstain from meat. People are still encouraged "to give up something" for Lent as a sacrifice, however, there is an emphasis placed on performing spiritual works, like attending the Stations of the Cross, attending Mass, making a weekly holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, taking time for personal prayer and spiritual reading and most especially going to confession and receiving sacramental absolution. We will focus on different aspects of Lent over the next 40 days.